Press Release - Cali Midweek Series Concerts

February 18, 2025

Montclair State University Hosts Weekly Concert Event at Chapin Hall Featuring Professional Musicians and Special Guests

Montclair’s production manager, Phillip Clifford, speaks on the work ethic of student workers and the big name talents his team arranges 

Posted In : Cali Music LIVE

Leshowitz Recital Hall, home of the many beautiful performances displayed by the students and staff in the Cali School of Music. 

Cali Midweek Series Concerts brings an array of spectacular musical performances every week at 2pm for the Cali School of Music. Students and staff alike put together a schedule of professional artists that showcase unique talent every Wednesday, with opportunities to even learn or collaborate. 

A few names of notable guests who have or will perform at the university later this year include The Westerlies, Pat Metheny, J’Nai Bridges, and the Attacca Quartet. These musicians have been awarded 24 Grammy’s altogether, Grammy Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards a musician can receive. 

Montclair State University students play a big role in creating the Cali Midweek Series Concerts, many handle professional equipment to gain real-world experience in a comfortable environment. The school offers multiple degree options to prepare students in this field, some include the Film Studies program, the Communication and Media Studies program, and the Animation/ Visual Effects program. 

“If it's not me handling one directly, it's usually a team of student workers…If something's outside the scope of what we've developed for the students, I try to make sure all of the things are manageable with the least amount of training,” said Production Manager Phillip Clifford. “What I really, truly enjoy, is helping the students have a good experience and a professional experience, and having a product at the end without having a huge impact on the school's budget and a lot of repercussions on that end of things.”

The weekly event takes place at 2pm every Wednesday in Leshowitz Recital Hall, located in Chapin Hall. The next performance will occur on February 19th, with Pat Metheny performing a jazz guitarist set followed by piano/ guitar studio recitals the following week. 

For more information on Montclair State University’s Cali Midweek Series Concerts, visit https://www.montclair.edu/john-j-cali-school-of-music/cali-midweek-series-schedule/